Amazon Basics CG9402-UL Coffee grinder: Full Review

The AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Grinder provides a simple but high-performing solution for grinding beans at home. It features a sleek stainless steel body with a clear top lid covering a coffee grinder chamber that holds up to 3 ounces of beans. The unit has 14 grind settings from very fine to very coarse, allowing you to get just the right grind size for any coffee brewing method. With a powerful 200-watt motor, this grinder allows for higher capacity and speed than more compact blade units.

The simple design includes just a few buttons and a dial knob to switch between grind settings. While it doesn't offer some of the advanced features or exacting precision of high-end grinders, its versatile grind range and solid performance make it a practical option at a low price point. Overall, this is a straightforward grinder that can deliver consistently ground beans for drip coffee, pour over, cold brew, French press, and more.

Design

The AmazonBasics coffee grinder features a sleek and modern stainless steel design. The shiny metal exterior gives it an elegant, premium look that would complement any kitchen decor.

At 7.2 x 7.2 x 12 inches, the grinder has a nice compact footprint that doesn't take up too much counter space. The cylindrical shape allows it to fit well in corners or against other appliances.

The stainless steel surface is smooth and fingerprint resistant, making it easy to keep clean. There are no crevices or ridges where coffee grinds can get trapped.

This coffee grinder only comes in a stainless steel color option. While the silver tone will match well with most kitchen aesthetics, there are no other color choices offered. Those wanting a grinder in black, white or more vibrant hues will need to consider other models.

Overall, the stainless steel body gives this an attractive, contemporary appearance perfect for modern kitchens. The small size is ideal for coffee enthusiasts tight on space.

Another popular option is the KitchenAid BCG111OB. This KitchenAid model features a durable and smartly designed body, with a stainless steel blade that ensures consistent grinding. Its one-touch operation makes it extremely user-friendly, and it's compact enough to easily fit on any countertop. The transparent cover allows you to monitor the grind consistency, hence, offering control over your coffee-making process. Opt for this model if you are looking for a grinder that combines functionality and style.

Grind Settings

The AmazonBasics burr coffee grinder offers 15 adjustable grind settings, allowing you to customize the grind size for any brew method. The grind size ranges from ultra-fine for espresso to coarse for French press. There are clear markings and clicks between each setting, making it easy to precisely dial in the size you need.

The fine grind settings are great for espresso, while medium grinds are ideal for drip coffee makers. If you use a French press or percolator, go with a coarser setting. The burrs provide a consistent grind across all the sizes. You won't get a mix of boulders and fines like with some cheaper blade grinders.

Having a wide range of grind sizes in one appliance means you can brew whatever coffee drink you want. You won't be limited to just one brew method. The steps between settings are small enough to really hone in on the optimal grind for your taste.

Another excellent option for coffee lovers is the CUISINART DBM-8P1 coffee grinder. This model boasts 18 grind settings, allowing you to fine-tune your grind consistency for various brewing methods. The removable grind chamber and one-touch operation make it user-friendly and easy to clean. Its heavy-duty motor ensures efficient grinding, perfect for a range of brew preferences from ultra-fine for espresso to coarse for French press.

Capacity

The AmazonBasics coffee grinder has a sizable 8-ounce bean hopper which can hold enough coffee beans to grind up to 18 cups of coffee at a time. This makes it a great option for larger households that go through a lot of coffee or for someone that likes to grind coffee in bulk.

The hopper is made of clear plastic so you can easily see how many beans you have left. It also has a tight fitting lid to keep your coffee beans fresh between uses. Once the beans are ground, the grinds collect in a 5-ounce grounds bin. This is large enough to hold the grounds for brewing up to 12 cups of coffee.

Overall, the generous capacity of both the bean hopper and grounds bin make this an excellent choice if you regularly need to grind coffee for more than just a few cups at once. You can grind enough in one session for a large family breakfast or dinner party without having to stop and empty out the grounds or refill the beans multiple times.

Easy to Keep Clean

The AmazonBasics coffee grinder is designed for easy cleaning and maintenance. The stainless steel body simply needs to be wiped down with a damp cloth to keep it looking new.

The removable grinding cup and lid can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The grinding cup has a wide mouth which allows easy access for cleaning.

To clean the interior grinding burrs and chamber, simply run the grinder for 30 seconds with some rice grains inside. The rice will dislodge any residual grounds. Then wipe out the interior with a dry brush or cloth.

The simplicity of the single-button operation means there aren't a lot of nooks and crannies where grounds can collect. Overall, users report that the coffee grinder requires minimal effort to keep clean.

Noise Level

The AmazonBasics electric coffee grinder produces a moderate level of noise when grinding beans. The grinder utilizes a powerful 180 watt motor which results in a grinding noise of around 70-75 decibels. This is comparable to the noise level of a vacuum cleaner.

The noise may be considered loud, especially early in the morning when making coffee. But it is not excessive or irritating. The noise only lasts for around 10-20 seconds while grinding a portion of beans. So it is over relatively quickly. The grinder does not make any noise when not in use.

Overall the noise level is reasonable for a burr coffee grinder. The noise produced seems proportional to the power of the motor. While not whisper quiet, the grinding noise will likely be acceptable to most users. The noise is a small trade-off for evenly grinding your favorite coffee beans.

Ease of Use

The AmazonBasics coffee grinder is designed to be very easy to use. The controls consist of a power button, a pulse button, and a selector knob for choosing between the 17 different grind settings.

The settings range from fine grind for espresso to coarse grind for French press, with clear markings to identify each one. Turning the knob allows you to quickly dial in the right grind size. The pulse button gives you precision and control for grinding just the amount you need.

Everything is intuitive and straightforward. The buttons provide tactile feedback when pushed, and the knob moves smoothly between settings. Within just a couple uses, you'll have the process down and be able to grind coffee to the perfect consistency for your brew method.

The coffee grinder does not have any complex functions or overly complicated settings to deal with. AmazonBasics optimized it for simplicity and ease of use. Just choose your grind size, hit pulse to grind, and you're good to go.

Grind Consistency

The AmazonBasics coffee grinder produces a fairly even and consistent grind. The stainless steel conical burrs are designed to minimize excessive fines and boulders. While not perfect, the grind consistency is quite good for a burr grinder in this price range.

The grinder has 18 different grind settings to choose from. On the finer espresso settings, the grind distribution leans towards a mix of fine and very fine with some boulders. This is typical of entry-level burr grinders. When grinding for drip coffee, the grind size ranges from medium to coarse with minimal fines. Overall the grind consistency allows you to brew smooth, balanced cups of coffee.

While high-end burr grinders with advances bushings and alignment mechanisms achieve more uniform particle distribution, the AmazonBasics grinder performs well above cheap bladed spice grinders. The conical burrs grind the beans without producing too many extremely fine or large particles. This contributes to a grind adequate for most home brewing methods.

Durability

The AmazonBasics coffee grinder is built to last thanks to its sturdy stainless steel housing and blades. The machine feels solid and well-constructed, without any flimsy plastic parts.

The stainless steel blades are durable and stay sharp for consistent grinding over time. Users mention the grinder still performs like new after years of frequent use.

While no machine lasts forever, the AmazonBasics grinder should hold up well with daily use for many years. The simple design with few moving parts means less chance of something breaking. The motor is powerful enough for the task without overheating.

Overall, the durability and longevity of this grinder make it a worthwhile investment. For an affordable price, you get a quality appliance that will serve your coffee grinding needs for a long time. The solid build gives it an advantage over flimsier plastic models in the same price range.

Verdict

The AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Electric Coffee Grinder delivers excellent value for money. Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Sturdy stainless steel design
• Easy to use with preset grind settings
• Large 8-ounce bean hopper capacity
• Easy to clean removable bowl and lid
• Consistent grinds for drip coffee and espresso
• 1-year limited warranty

Cons

• Louder than some pricier models
• Lid can pop off if overfilled
• No portafilter holder for espresso
• Beans can get stuck between burrs

Overall, this is an ideal entry-level electric coffee grinder that produces consistent grinds for drip, pour over, and espresso. It's easy to use and clean, with useful presets and decent capacity. The stainless steel design should hold up well over time. For an affordable and reliable daily use coffee grinder, the AmazonBasics model delivers great value and quality that punches above its price. Just be mindful not to overfill it, and the noise level may bother some. But for brewing fresh, flavorful coffee every day, it's hard to beat this grinder for the price.